Vandal Vibe Newsletter

Happy New Year, Vandals!

I hope your holidays were restful and fun-filled. Students are returning to the Moscow campus despite the “snowmageddon” of the past week. Classes begin today.

This is also the time of year when prospective Vandals are making choices about whether and where to attend college. As satisfied customers, we know what their choice should be, and I am happy to report that alumni are stepping up in new ways to tell the U of I story.

Many of you may already know about our “Vandalize the Classroom” initiative. The brainchild of alumni chapter leaders at a retreat last summer, the project entailed sending U of I alumni who are K-12 teachers a package of bling to decorate their classroom and show their Vandal pride. With help from our partners in University Communications and Marketing as well as Strategic Enrollment Management, along with a healthy social media campaign run by the Office of Alumni Relations, we ended up vandalizing more than 1,000 classrooms.

The majority of those classrooms are in high schools in Idaho, but we also sent materials to elementary, middle school and high school alumni teachers throughout the state and around the country. If on average every Vandalized classroom serves 20 students, and I think that is a conservative estimate, at least 20,000 prospective Vandals are being exposed to our alma mater’s brand every day of the school year. That makes me very happy!

Another initiative sparked by the chapter leaders is a card-writing campaign. Currently, alumni have signed up to write and send more than 1,000 specifically-branded cards to students who have been admitted to U of I but are not yet enrolled to congratulate them on their choice and share their own success stories. That personal touch reaffirms what it means to be part of the Vandal Family.

U of I also is taking its story on the road, thanks to a project initiated by President Scott Green ’84 and implemented by our colleagues in Strategic Enrollment Management. Beginning later this month, university officials, often including President Green, will travel the state, stopping at Idaho high schools to make presentations about the value of a higher education, what it takes to afford college, what resources are available at our alma mater, etc. In some of those locations, alumni will join in the effort to help tell the story and celebrate being Vandals. I will keep you posted about the details of when and where the "Enroll Idaho" van will be.

Every new year brims with possibility, but 2020 is definitely going to be the year of the Vandal!

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

P.S. If you’d like to help recruit students to U of I, please fill out the Alumni Interest Form. You can also nominate a specific student to join the Vandal Family through Grow the Gold.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Jan. 18 – Vandal Night with the Spokane Chiefs, Spokane, WA
Jan. 22 – Alumni Office Sign Dedication, Moscow, ID
Jan. 24-25 – Kappa Alpha Theta Centennial Founders Day, Moscow, ID
Jan. 25 – Palouse Chapter Bowling Night, Pullman, WA
Jan. 31-Feb. 1 – Vandal Ski Day, Grand Targhee Ski Resort, Alta, WY
Feb. 7 – Palouse Chapter Murder Mystery Night, Moscow, ID
Feb. 9 – Vandal Ski Day, Bogus Basin, Boise, ID
Feb. 13 – Eastern Wash. Chapter Basketball Pregame, Cheney, WA
Feb. 17 – Portland Chapter Basketball Pregame, Portland, OR
Feb. 21-22 – Vandal Ski Day, Lookout Pass, Mullan, ID
Feb. 28-29 – Vandal Ski Day, Brundage Mountain Resort, McCall, ID
Feb. 29 – Vandal Ski Day, Pomerelle Mountain Resort, Twin Falls, ID
March 6 – Phi Gamma Delta 100th Pig Dinner Weekend, Moscow, ID
March 16 – Junior Achievement Volunteer Opportunity, Boise, ID
March 20, 21 – Arizona Spring Training Baseball, Tempe/Mesa, AZ
March 22 – Arizona Chapter 13th Annual Golf Tournament, Phoenix, AZ

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Loss in the Vandal Family: Pete Isakson

It is a sad day in the Vandal Family. Pete Isakson '03, a longtime leader at the University of Idaho, passed away suddenly Tuesday morning.

Pete has worked as a tireless advocate for the university during two different terms. From 1998 to 2003 he served as the assistant athletic director for development, marketing and promotions. He went to work at Washington State University Athletics in 2003 and later worked for WSU President Elson Floyd. Pete returned to his Vandal Family in 2017 and served as the associate athletic director for revenue generation. Pete stepped in to serve as interim athletic director in 2018, which he performed with distinction. Since 2019, he continued to serve the university in Advancement, with a focus on student success and building our Vandal Promise scholarship fund.

Pete had a deep desire to create a positive environment, always leading with optimism and energy. His sense of humor, passion for student-athlete success and willingness to step into any situation to help will long be remembered.

Pete and his wife, Kelly, have three children. Both he and Kelly have served the youth of Moscow as coaches and mentors for many years.

Our condolences go to Pete’s family and friends and to all those who knew Pete. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. (Pacific) Monday, Jan. 20 at the Church of the Nazarene, 1400 E. 7th St., Moscow. A “post game” gathering will follow at the Latah County Fairgrounds. Wear Idaho Vandal or Moscow Bear gear.

Scott Green
President

Here's My U of I Breakthrough

By James Jordan '75, '80, '89

I was born in Moscow in January 1950 where I grew up until 1959. My father, Dr. James V. Jordan, was a professor of agriculture at Idaho. I attended many Idaho football games as a child at Neil Stadium and became a Vandal supporter.

My mother’s father was stranded in Australia due to World War II and became involved in the concrete industry. My father became interested in the industry as well so the family moved to Sydney, Australia, in 1959. I grew up and went to school in Sydney and graduated high school in 1968. My dream was to return to Moscow and attend U of I. In January 1969, I returned to Moscow as a freshman in Chrisman Hall. I went from summer weather in Australia to Moscow's 10 below zero and snow that was taller then me in places. Culture shock hit rather quickly, which resulted in not a very successful freshman year. I managed to survive. One of the saviors was the Fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda, which was a life-saving fit.

I graduated finally in 1975 with a bachelor of science in education. I returned Australia where I taught science in Canberra. In 1978, I returned to Moscow and completed a master's in guidance counseling and landed a job in the Meridian School District. After eight years I returned to Moscow and completed a specialist certificate in school psychology. In August of 1989, I moved my family to Townsville, Queensland Australia, where I worked as a guidance officer until my retirement in 2013.

Go Vandals!

Share your U of I breakthrough story

Alumni Programs Highlight

Over 1,000 packages went to Vandal teachers, now we want to see those Vandalized classrooms! Post a photo and tag @uidahoalumni to be entered to win an extra plush Vandal alumni prize pack. Make sure to like and follow our page, too. Submit photos by Jan. 20. Winner announced Jan. 21.
Post your photo >> (https://www.facebook.com/uidahoalumni/)

Join Vandals on the slopes across the state (snowboarders welcome too).

Our land-grant mission extends to each of Idaho’s 44 counties. Let’s show it with signs and building wraps along our state’s roadways.  

Alumni News

Gary Baker '67, Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame charter class, remembered.

College of Law graduate Neomi Gilmore '14, confirmed as district court judge by 14th Navajo Nation Council.

We held a little retirement party last week for a member of the Vandal Family that has served the university for more than four decades: the sign hanging at the entrance to the Alumni Office on the Moscow campus.

You may remember the carved wooden sign sporting the former “sunburst” U of I logo. Commissioned by Robie G. Russell ’73, ’78 and carved by New Meadows craftsman Vic Durden in 1973, the sign originally hung outside what was then the university’s Boise alumni office and Vandal store, which Russell managed. When the store, which was located on Capitol Boulevard between Idaho and Bannock streets, closed in 1975, the sign was moved to the entrance of the Alumni Office in Hays Hall. It graced the entry for 45 years.

The Palouse elements took their toll over the decades. Most of the paint on the sign was long gone; the wood weathered and cracked. It was starting to list to one side, and there was a little patch of moss growing on one corner. It was definitely time to make a change. But, you don’t just get rid of an old friend.

We have given the old sign a place of honor in the Alumni Lounge with a plaque explaining its history right underneath. Other members of the Vandal Family – including former alumni directors Dick Johnston ’53 and Flip Kleffner ‘55 – gathered to raise a glass to celebrate the old and honor the new. We sang the fight song and thought about the thousands of alumni that sign greeted during its tenure.

The new sign – shiny and bold in the renewed U of I colors – now hangs outside our door. Here’s to the thousands of new alumni it will welcome over the next 45 years.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Jan. 31-Feb. 1 – Vandal Ski Day, Grand Targhee Ski Resort
Feb. 7 – Palouse Chapter Murder Mystery Night
Feb. 9 – Vandal Ski Day, Bogus Basin
Feb. 13 – Eastern Wash. Chapter Basketball Pregame
Feb. 17 – Portland Chapter Basketball Pregame
Feb. 21-22 – Vandal Ski Day, Lookout Pass
Feb. 28-29 – Vandal Ski Day, Brundage Mountain Resort
Feb. 29 – Vandal Ski Day, Pomerelle Mountain Resort
March 6 – Phi Gamma Delta 100th Pig Dinner Weekend
March 16 – Junior Achievement Volunteer Opportunity
March 20, 21 – Arizona Spring Training Baseball
March 22 – Arizona Chapter 13th Annual Golf Tournament

View more events on the alumni calendar. 

Here's My U of I Breakthrough

By Roy D. Merrill Jr. '55

While taking algebra, Professor Halderman called me in to say, "If you don’t get B or greater grade in this class, you will never make it through engineering." At that time, I was a C student, so I reorganized my studies so that algebra was the first subject I studied every night. And, thanks to my roommate, Dale Waters '53, who taught me to be able to take 15-minute naps and be able to study until 2 a.m. many nights, I passed algebra with a B grade, and I got better grades in all my other subjects almost, magically.

That incident was my turning point in school. To illustrate how important that incident was, later I received a scholarship while in the U.S. Air Force and obtained a master's degree in engineering at Ohio State University Extension at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. And later while working for the Lockeed Palo Alto Research Lab, I was awarded another scholarship to study computer science and control engineering at Stanford. Later, with four years of study there, I obtained an SU engineering degree (a Ph.D. with thesis rather than dissertation).

So as a consequence of Professor Halderman’s warning, I ended up with a BS(ME), BS(EE), MS(EE) and engineering degrees.

Best Regards,
Roy D. Merrill, Jr.
Share your U of I breakthrough story

Alumni Programs Highlight

Congratulations to Marianne Sletteland '09, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences graduate and special education teacher at J. Russell Elementary in Moscow. She is the winner of our Vandalize the Classroom photo contest and received a bag of alumni branded teacher necessities.

Thanks to the many teachers to participated!

Join Vandals on the slopes across the state (snowboarders welcome, too).
Learn More >>

There's no better way to travel than with Vandals. Check out this five-day, four-night Costa Rica trip for young alumni.
Find Out More >>

The Office of Alumni Relations is now taking submissions for its Vandal Business Directory. Be a part of the inaugural launch and help build the network of alumni-owned businesses!
Learn More >>

Alumni News

David Manz, '05, '10 computer science graduate has been inducted into the CyberCore: Scholarship for Service Hall of Fame for his outstanding commitment to excellence in cybersecurity. Manz serves as chief cybersecurity scientist in the National Security Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Learn more about SFS >>

Matt Cook '13, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences graduate has been elected president of the Local Executive Council for the Association of Flight Attendants Council 30 in Anchorage, Alaska. Cook uses his journalism and mass media degree to represent and resolve issues for the nearly 400 flight attendants based in the Anchorage area.

There is nothing better than when a good idea spreads. That is exactly what has happened with Vandal Ski Day.

The Office of Alumni Relations resurrected a single Vandal Ski Day at Brundage Ski Resort outside McCall four years ago at the request of alumni hungry to share the slopes with their fellow Vandals. Working with our great partners from U of I’s McCall Outdoor Science School (https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/mccall-outdoor-science-school) (MOSS), we put up the Vandal canopy in the resort parking lot, hauled in the barbecue, grilled some burgers and dogs, fed about 100 Vandals, sang the Fight Song, took some pictures and enjoyed each other’s company.

Last year’s event at Brundage was bigger and better, and this year – largely due to some amazing members of the University of Idaho Alumni Association Board of Directors and strong chapter leaders – Vandals have five opportunities to ski and snowboard with their fellow alums. Grand Targhee was the first location for alumni in the southeastern part of the state; Vandals gathered there in late January. This past weekend, President Scott Green dusted off his skis to join us under crystal blue skies and sunshine at Bogus Basin outside Boise. Vandals up north will gather at Lookout Ski Resort Feb. 21. And Feb. 28 and 29, Vandals will gather both at Brundage in McCall and Pomerelle Resort outside of Twin Falls. More details about all of the events are available here (https://www.uidaho.edu/alumni/events/vandal-ski-day) .

We live in the most beautiful state in the union, with countless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Vandal Ski Days give members of our Vandal family a way to do what they love in places they love with people they love. What could be better than that?

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events
Feb. 13 – Eastern Wash. Chapter Basketball Pregame, Cheney, Wa
Feb. 17 – Portland Chapter Basketball Pregame, Portland, Or
Feb. 19 – Greek Alumni Council Meeting, Coeur d'Alene, Id
Feb. 21 – Coeur d'Alene Center
Feb. 21-22 – Vandal Ski Day, Lookout Pass, Mullan, Id
Feb. 25 – Boise Center GradFair, Boise, Id
Feb. 28-29 – Vandal Ski Day, Brundage Mountain Resort, McCall, Id
Feb. 29 – Vandal Ski Day, Pomerelle Mountain Resort, Twin Falls, Id
March 6 – Phi Gamma Delta 100th Pig Dinner Weekend, Moscow, Id
March 6 – Vandal Night with the Idaho Steelheads, Boise, Id
March 13 – Boise Grads of the Last Decade St. Patty's Day Party, Boise, Id
March 16 – 10th Annual St. Paddy's Day Party, Spokane, Wa
March 16 – Junior Achievement Volunteer Opportunity, Boise, Id
March 20, 21 – Arizona Spring Training Baseball, Tempe/Mesa, Ar
March 22 – Arizona Chapter 13th Annual Golf Tournament, Phoenix, Ar
March 29 – Portland Silver and Gold Event, Portland, Ore

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Help Us Vandalize Grain Bins, Elevators and Barns

Vandals are everywhere, in every community in Idaho, so let’s continue to make our presence known. One way we can tell the University of Idaho story, and reinforce that agriculture is our foundation, is to enhance the grain bins and grain elevators along our highways with gold and black lettering. We can transform our alumni-owned and Vandal-supported farms and barns with road signs sporting Vandal graphics.

Fill out the form on our website to volunteer your property or to identify an agricultural fixture in your community that would be ideal for a long-term Vandal billboard. All the property owner has to do is donate the space.

Learn More >>

Listen While You Work: VandalTheory Podcast

The Vandal Theory podcast asks, “What gets University of Idaho researchers’ brains buzzing... besides coffee?” These award-winning stories showcase researchers exploring and solving real-world problems. With interviews and quick updates on all things Vandal, discover the world of U of I research with host Leigh Cooper.

Vandal Theory can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher and wherever you find podcasts.

Search Episodes >>

Here's My U of I Breakthrough

By Martin E. Ross '79

In 1972, I was a new Ph.D candidate at a university that will remain unnamed. It turned out to be a miserable experience from which I was released in 1974. Deflated and angered at what, by all accounts, had been a politically motivated act, I felt my dream of becoming a university professor was over. Within a day after my oral exam, a fellow grad student suggested I consider switching over to the University of Idaho. I was reluctant at first, but within a day or two, found myself on the phone with John Bond, the acting dean of the College of Mines, inquiring if I could transfer over, and if he would be willing to be my dissertation adviser. He said he had no problem with me coming over, but I would first have to meet with George Williams, chair of the Department of Geology.

George was an incredibly affable man with a goatee and a twinkle in his eyes. Since I hoped to continue with the research project I had invested two years on at the other school, he wanted to be certain that would be okay with my previous adviser. When George hung up the phone, he said my ex-adviser was very happy to let me continue my project.

I successfully completed several courses at Idaho and continued my field work mapping Columbia River Basalts in the Troy, Oregon area. In the spring of 1975, I was hired by the department to fill in for a professor who had suddenly been appointed to a high position in the Department of Interior and was off to Washington D.C. I successfully completed my degree in the summer of 1978, at which time I became a father and accepted a teaching position at Northeastern University in Boston. I was tenured in 1983 and retired as a professor emeritus in 2018. Without the University of Idaho and the excellent faculty in the Department of Geology, my career path would have changed drastically.

Martin Ross '78
Professor Emeritus
Northeastern University
Share your U of I breakthrough story

Virtual Campus Tour

We know that once a potential student steps foot onto our beautiful Moscow campus, they're more likely to enroll and become a Vandal. What happens when a student isn't able to make the on-campus trip? We bring the experience to them with a virtual Vandal tour.

This 360 degree tour is narrated and includes videos and links to explore special spaces on campus.

Take a Tour >>